New Collaborations with Industry Leaders Help Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Further Simplify Home Control, Entertainment, Security and Internet Access

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router EA6500 with 802.11ac Technology

Linksys Smart WiFi Router EA6500

Linksys Universal Media Connector WUMC710

Linksys Universal Media Connector WUMC710

SAN JOSE, CA October 4, 2012 – Linksys today announced the availability of the first Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router with 802.11ac technology accompanied by a compatible Universal Media Connector to connect devices such as Smart TVs, Blu-ray players and game consoles at Gigabit speed, wirelessly. The Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router AC 1750 HD Video Pro has the best Wi-Fi performance in the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi router portfolio and, together with the Linksys AC Universal Media Connector, is now available through retail and online stores in the US.

The Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router AC 1750 HD Video Pro is powered by the industry's next-generation wireless technology, 802.11ac, delivering powerful performance with Wi-Fi speeds up to 450+1300 Mbps1. It can reach speeds approximately three times faster than existing 802.11n products but also offers better range and reliability and helps to improve power consumption of mobile devices. Its peak performance combined with the new Linksys Smart Wi-Fi2 platform allows consumers to take control of their home network and devices through Smart Wi-Fi Tools and Apps.

"Designed to meet the explosive increase in video consumption and the rise of Wi-Fi enabled devices in the home, the new Linksys Smart Wi-Fi router with AC technology delivers incredible speed and simplicity while changing the way consumers interact with their electronics and HD content - allowing them to manage their devices remotely using easy-to-use apps on their mobile device," said Brett Wingo, vice president and general manager, Cisco Home Networking. "We are combining top-of-the-line Wi-Fi performance with unmatched usability and intelligence to deliver a better customer experience."

To open this world of opportunities, consumers can create an optional Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Account during product set-up. After creation, the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Account can be accessed securely from any web browser or through the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi App on a smartphone or tablet. This enables anytime, anywhere access and control of the home network and its connected devices, which combined with mobile apps, enables completely new experiences for consumers. Parents, for example, now have more control over what content their children see on the Internet with the Block the Bad Stuff and Netproofer app, or business travelers can see what's happening at home with the Gemini IP Camera Viewer app. A variety of Linksys Smart Wi-Fi apps are available today and additional apps are coming soon from app developers that have joined the Linksys Developer Community.

To simplify connecting devices to the network, SimpleTap™ has been introduced with the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Routers. SimpleTap lets consumers connect devices to the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router with as little as one tap of a button or with a quick swipe or scan of a device or tag, making it easier than ever to add devices to their Wi-Fi network.

As well as adding a new router to the Smart Wi-Fi portfolio, Linksys continues to collaborate with consumer electronics industry leaders to simplify and optimize the connected home experience for consumers. Linksys is excited to announce its partnership with LG Electronics. This partnership will help consumers get the best possible HD viewing experience on their Smart TV in the near future when using video on demand services such as Netflix, Hulu and YouTube HD, as well as LG's enhanced "3D World" app that offers popular Disney movie titles.

"As part of LG's smart device innovation leadership strategy, we're pleased to collaborate with Linksys to offer consumers the best experience in streaming entertainment at home. While delivering an unparalleled Smart TV experience with our slim-profile CINEMA 3D Smart TVs and the unique LG Magic Remote, we're also focusing our efforts on simplifying home network connectivity. Using Linksys Smart Wi-Fi routers that also enable superior streaming experiences represents an important first step in a broader relationship between LG and Cisco intended to enhance and simplify end-user enjoyment of a variety of broadband services," said Samuel Chang, general manager of Innovation Development, LG Electronics USA.

The consumer opt-in prioritization for LG Smart TVs is designed to maximize the high-definition streaming experience without noticeably affecting connectivity or performance of other connected devices, such as smartphones and smart appliances connected to the home network.

Beyond making products available through retail and online stores, Cisco also collaborates with service providers to offer this type of solutions to consumers. Qatar Telecom (Qtel) in the Middle East is the first service provider globally that is rolling out AC-enabled Linksys Smart Wi-Fi products to its fiber broadband customers. Qtel provides a full range of telecommunications services in Qatar and across its presence in 17 countries.

"We share a vision for the connected home with Cisco Linksys, and see 802.11ac as a key technology for delivering the benefits of this vision for the people of Qatar. With improved range and the capacity to reach Gigabit speeds over Wi-Fi, we will be able to roll-out richer and more agile video services to our customers, enabling them to watch content effortlessly on almost any connected device," said Waleed Al-Sayed, Chief Operating Officer, Qtel.

Pricing and Availability:

The Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router AC 1750 HD Video Pro (model EA6500), is available for $219.99 (MSRP) at Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Amazon, Staples, RadioShack, and the Cisco Home Networking Store. The complementary Linksys AC Universal Media Connector (model WUMC710) is also now available for $159.99 (MSRP) at BestBuy.com, Walmart.com, Staples and the Cisco Home Networking Store.

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Cisco's vision for the consumer is to transform the home network into a solutions and services platform that delivers great customer experiences. Further information about Cisco and its full line of consumer products including Linksys can be found at www.linksys.com.

Cisco, the Cisco logo and Linksys are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

1 Maximum Performance derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications (draft specifications for 802.11ac). Actual performance can vary, including lower wireless network capacity, data throughput rate, range and coverage. Performance depends upon many factors, conditions and variables, including products used, interference and other adverse conditions. 802.11ac 1300 Mbps in the 5GHz Band is approximately 3 x faster than 802.11n 450 Mbps in the 2.4GHz Band. An 802.11ac adapter will be needed to achieve 11ac data rates and up to 1300 Mbps wireless speeds may be achieved when connecting to other 802.11ac 1300 Mbps devices.